Earth scraper

ABSTRACT

An earth scraper of the type having a support frame, wheels journaled on the support frame to support the earth scraper as it rolls over the ground, a bowl for accumulating and discharging scraped earth, scoop means for scraping earth, and earth elevating means for depositing scraped earth in the bowl. The scraper of the invention has hydraulic actuation means for positioning the bowl in earth accumulation or discharge positions, hydraulic actuation means for elevating and depressing the scoop means relative to the support frame and for raising and lowering the support frame relative to the ground, and means for connecting the earth scraper to a tractor. Means for journaling the bowl, earth elevating means and scoop means in the support frame is also disclosed.

United States Patent Feistel, Jr.

[54] EARTH SCRAPER [72] Inventor: Robert B. Feistel, Jr., Oklahoma [21] Appl. No; 80,963

[52] US. Cl ..37/9, 172/552 I 1 Nov. 28, 1972 Johnson ..37/9 X Hamilton ..37/9

[ ABSTRACT An earth scraper of the type having a support frame, wheels journaled on the support frame to support the earth scraper as it rolls over the ground, a bowl for accumulating and discharging scraped earth, scoop means for scraping earth, and earth elevating means for depositing scraped earth in the bowl. The scraper of the invention has hydraulic actuation means for positioning the bowl in earth accumulation or discharge positions, hydraulic actuation means for elevating and depressing the scoop means relative to the support frame and for raising and lowering the support frame relative to the ground, and means for connecting the earth scraper to a tractor. Means for journaling the bowl, earth elevating means and scoop means in the support frame is also disclosed.

7 Claim, 8 Drawing 51 1m. (:1. ..B60p l/00,A0lb 5/00 [58] FieldofSearchM ..37/192R,124,4,8,9; 172/552 [56] References Cited UNITEDISTATES PATENTS 3,224,119 12/1965 Wilmothetal. ..37/9 3,525,167 8/1970 Frenchetal ..37/8 2,637,123 5/1953 Miller ..37/9 2,138,820 12/1938 Postetal ..37/9 2,806,304 9/1957 Wind ..37/9 2,663,953 12/1953 Cahill ..37/9 2,404,123 7/1946 Clark ..37/9 1,974,717 9/1934 LeBleu...; ..37/9x EARTI-I SCRAPER BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention The invention relates generally to earth scrapers, and more specifically, but not by way of limitation, to such implements capable-of scooping, accumulating, transporting, spreading and leveling soil.

2; Brief Description of the Prior Art Earth scrapers are of two-general types. The first type is the more common and comprises a relatively flat scoop which is slidably drawn over the ground by a suitable draft means. This type of scraper has often proved undesirable because of the excessive amount of draft power required for its operation, the inaccurate control of cutting depth it provides, and the generally unsatisfactory methods of loading, unloading and spreading of soil which are typically handled thereby.

The second general type of earth scraper provides a means of elevating the soil engaged by the scoop and means for accumulation of such soil for transporting the soil to another location. Earth scrapers of this type are generally borne on wheels which considerably lessens the draft power required for their operation. Some varieties of this second type of earth scraper utilize an earth elevating reel to both lift the scooped soil up and into a receptacle and to support the earth scraper as it rolls over the ground. This latter arrangement presents serious deficiencies when it is necessary to move the earth scraper over the highways or other terrain which would be harmed by the chopping action of the earth elevating reel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide an improved earth scraper adapted to load, transport and spread earth in quantities in excess of that heretofore possible with a given drawing power.

Another object of the invention is to provide an earth scraper adapted to spread and level, as well as scrape off, soil traversed to predetermined accurately'gauged extents.

Another object of the invention is to provide an earth scraper having accurately controlled means to loosen and chop the soil prior to engagement of the soil by scoop means.

A further object of this invention is to provide an earth scraper of the earth elevating and transporting type having wheel supports in relation to which the other elements of the scraper are elevated and depressed to accurately controlled extents for loading, transporting, spreading and leveling purposes.

A further object of the invention is to provide an earth scraper of the earth elevating and transporting type in which supporting wheels are mounted forwardly of the earth elevating elements, thus providing forward support and steering means for such earth scraper.

Another object of the invention is to provide an earth scraper of the type set forth in the preceding paragraph having improved remote control means for positioning the earth accumulating and transporting element in earth receiving and earth discharging positions.

A further object of the invention is to provide an earth scraper of the earth elevating and transporting type in which the earth scooping element, earth elevating elements and the earth accumulating and transportread in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the improved earth scraper constructed in accordance-with the present invention. The rear support wheels being shown in phantom to more clearly show other operating elements.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the earth scraper, portions of the earth elevating reel being broken away to more clearly show internal portions of the scraper.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of the earth scraper.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2 illustrating the earth scraper and its various elements in position to scrape a layer of soil from the earth and accumulate it in the bowl, the bowl actuating mechanism being shown by dashed lines to more clearly show its position relative to the other elements.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to FIG. 4, illustrating the earth scraper and its various elements in position to transport soil accumulated in the bowl, the bowl actuating mechanism being shown by dashed lines to more clearly show its position relativ to the other elements.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 4, illustrating the earth scraper and its various elements in position to spread soil accumulated in the bowl, the bowl actuating mechanism being shown by dashed lines to more clearly show its position relative to the other elements.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to FIG. 4, illustrating the earth scraper and its various elements in position to level the soil over which it is drawn without accumulating soil in the bowl, the bowl actuating mechanism being shown by dashed lines to more Y clearly show its position relative to the other elements.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 1 illustrating the shaft and bowl construction in greater detail.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, reference character 10 generally designates an earth scraper constructed in accordance with this invention. The earth scraper 10 includes a support frame 12 and a sub-frame l4 pivotally connected to the forward end 16 of the support frame 12. Front support wheels 18 are journaled on the subframe 14. Rear support wheels 22 are pivotally secured to the rearward end 24 of the support frame 12. A tongue 20 is secured to the sub-frame 14 whereby the subframe 14 and the front support wheels 18 are journaled thereon may be pivoted relative to the support frame 12 about a substantially vertical axis for steering the earth scraper .10 as it traverses the ground. The tongue 20 provides means whereby the earth scraper may be drawn over the ground by appropriate draft means such as a tractor.

A substantially cylindrical bowl 26 is transversely mounted on the support frame 12, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 8. The bowl 26, is provided with opposite end walls 28. An earth receiving and discharging hole 30 is formed longitudinally in the bowl 26. As illustrated in FIG. 8, a hole 32 is formed in each end wall 28. A tubular shaft 34 is axially positioned inside the bowl 26 with each of its ends 36 communicating with a hole 32 in a respective end wall 28. Each end 36 of the tubular shaft 34 is fixedly secured to the respective end wall 28 in communication with said hole 32 formed therein. A first stub shaft 38 extends into one end 36 of the tubular shaft 34 through hole 32 in the corresponding end wall 28 and is fixedly secured to said end wall 28 by bolts 38a. A second stub shaft 40 extends into the opposite end 36 of the tubular shaft 34 through hole 32 of the corresponding end wall 28 and is fixedly secured to said end wall 28 by bolts 40a. The bowl 26 is supported on the support frame 12 by the stub shafts 38 and 40 which are conveniently journaled in respective pillow blocks 42 mounted on the support frame 12.

As also illustrated in FIG. 8, a first circular disk 44 is journaled on stub shaft 38 between one end wall 28 of the bowl 26 and the support frame 12 by use of a bearing 44a. A second circular disk 44 is journaled on stub shaft 40 between the opposite end wall 28 of the bowl 26 and the support frame 12 by use of a bearing 44b. As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, earth elevating vanes 46 interconnect the disks 44 at their peripheries. Vane braces 48 provide peripheral support for the vanes 46 intermediate the disks 44. The disks 44, vanes 46, and vane braces 48 comprise an earth elevating reel 50. As the earth scraper 10 is draw over the ground, a resulting rolling action is imparted to the earth elevating reel 50, the disks 44 thereof being rotated, and the vanes 46 and vane braces 48 thereof being revolved about the bowl 26.

A segmentally cylindrical hood 52 having opposite end segments 54 is provided as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The end segments 54 are journaled on the respective stub shafts 38 and 40 between the earth elevating reel 50 and the support frame 12 as more clearly shown in FIG. 8. The end segments 54 extend radially and rearwardly from stub shafts 38 and 40. A cylindrical segment 56 interconnects the end segments 54. The cylindrical segment 56 is spaced in intimate concentric relation to the periphery of the earth elevating reel 50 as illustrated in FIG. 1. A scraper blade 58 is secured to the lower margin of the cylindrical segment 56 of the hood 52, and is transversely related to the earth scraper 10 for engagement with the soil. The hood 52 extends arcuately upward from the scraper blade 58. The hood 52 and the blade 58 comprise an earth scoop 59. By pivoting the hood 52 on the stub shafts 38 and 40, the scraper blade 58 may be inserted into the earth or retracted therefrom.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, bracket arms 60 are pivotally secured to the rearward end 24 of the support frame 12 by pin connections 62. The bracket arms 60 are disposed to the rear of the bowl 26, earth elevating reel 50, and scoop 59. An axle 64 interconnects the bracket arms 60. By pivoting the bracket arms 60 about the pin connections 62, the support frame 12 may be raised. or lowered relative to the axle 64. The rear support wheels 22 are journaled on the axle 64 in positions which allow them to roll over terrain previously traversed by the bowl 26, earth elevating reel 50, and scoop 59 as the earth scraper 10 is drawn in a forward direction over the ground.

The raising or lowering of the support frame 12 relative to the ground is adjustably limited by a bar 66 as illustrated in FIG. 1. On end 68 of the bar 66 is pivotally secured to a bracket 69 formed on the top side of the support frame 12 by pin connection 70. The opposite end 72 of bar 66 extends through and is slidably connected to a bracket 74 formed on axle 64. The sliding movement of bar 66 relative to the bracket 74 is limited by suitable adjustable stops 76 and 78 which may be secured to bar 66 at selected positions. The support frame 12 reaches its lowest selected position relative to the ground when the adjustable stop 76 on bar 66 abuts the adjacent side of the respective bracket 74 as shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7. The support frame 12 reaches its highest selected position relative to the ground when the adjustable stop 78 on bar 66 abuts the respective bracket 74 as shown in FIG. 5.

A pair of hydraulic cylinders 80 are each pivotally secured at one end 82 to the respective laterally outer portion of the upper margin of the hood 52. Each hydraulic cylinder 80 is pivotally secured at the opposite end 84 to a bracket 86 formed on the respective laterally outer portion of the top side of the axle 64 as illustrated in FIG. 3. Movement of the hood 52 may be adjustably limited by limiting means comprising an elongated bar 88 having one end 90 and an opposite end 92 as illustrated in FIG. 1. A slot 94 is formed longitudinally in one end 90 of the bar 88. A series of holes 96 are formed in the opposite end 92 of the bar 88. The bar 88 is slidably connected at one end 90 to a bracket 98, formed near the upper margin of the bowl 52, by a slide pin 100 which extends through slot 94 and is secured to bracket 98. The bar 88 is pivotally secured at its opposite end 92 to the bracket 69, mounted on the support frame 12, by a pin 104 which extends through a selected hole 96, and is secured to bracket 69. The selection of an appropriate hole 96 provides a limited range of positions through which the scoop 59 may be moved. The movement of the scoop 59 within the selected range of positions is limited by the related movement of the slide pin 100 within the slot 94, as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Movement of the scoop 59 within a preselected range of positions is caused by the extension and contraction of the hydraulic cylinders 80. As the hydraulic cylinders 80 are extended, the scoop 59 is rotated upwardly about the stub shafts 38 and 40 and the slide pin 100 moves upward in the slot 94 until the pin 100 reaches the upper end of the slot 94. At this point, further upward rotation of the bowl 52 is precluded. The rotation of the scoop 59 to this upper limit results in the scraper blade 58 being raised to a position above the earth, while the earth elevating reel 50 is allowed to remain in contact with the earth. The scoop 59 being precluded from further upward rotation, continued extension of the hydraulic cylinders 80 results in the elevation of the support frame 12 relative to the axle 64. Thus, extension of the hydraulic cylinders 80 after the pin 100 has reached the upper limit of the slot 94, results in the elevational control of all the elements borne by the support frame 12, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

The bowl26 is rotated about-the stub shafts 38 and 40 in order to assume its various functional positions as illustrated in FlGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7. The bowl 26 is rotated by an actuating mechanism generally designated by reference character 105. The actuating mechanism 105 includes a hydraulic cylinder 106 having one end 108 pivotally secured to the support frame 12 by pin connection 110. A first link 112 is pivotally secured at one end 114 to the opposite end 116 of the hydraulic cylinder 106 by pin connection 118. The first link 112 is pivotally secured at its opposite end 120 to the support frame 12 by pin connection 122. A second link 124 is pivotally secured at one end 126 to pin connection 118. An actuating arm 128 is pivotally secured at one end 130 to the opposite end 132 of. the second link 124 by pin connection 134. The actuating arm 128 is fixedly secured at its opposite end 136 to the outer end 138 of the second stub shaft 40.

When the hydraulic cylinder 106 is fully contracted, the bowl 26 is in the proper. position to accumulate and carry soil scraped from the ground as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. To spread soil accumulated in the bowl 26, the hydraulic cylinder 106 is gradually extended with a resulting forward rotation of the bowl 26, and the earth scraper is simultaneously caused to move forward over the ground. As soil is dumped from the forwardlyrotating bowl 26, the scraper blade 58 engages the soil and spreads it over the ground to a selected thickness as illustrated in FIG. 6. To level the ground over which .the earth scraper 10 is drawn, the bowl 26 is rotated to its inverted position by the actuating mechanism 105. The scraper blade 58 is then caused to engage the soil by the downward rotation of the scoop 59 about the stub shafts 38 and 40. The downward rotation of the scoop 59 is caused by the retraction of the hydraulic cylinders 80 as illustrated in FIG. 7. In this position soil is shaved from high spots by the scraper blade 58 and is then carried by the earth elevating reel 50 up and over the inverted bowl 26 and dumped in front of the scraper blade 58 to be deposited in low spots.

OPERATION The operation of the present invention is believed to be readily apparent from the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment and will be briefly summarized at this point. The earth scraper 10 is connected by means of the tongue to a suitable draft means such as a conventional wheeled tractor which in turn causes the earth scraper 10 to traverse terrain which is to be scraped or leveled.

FIG. 4 illustrates the working elements of the earth scraper 10 in position to scrape a layer of soil from the earth and accumulate said soil in the bowl 26. As the earth scraper 10 is drawn over the ground, the vanes 46 engage the soil immediately ahead of the scraper blade 58 as the earth elevating reel 50 rolls over the ground. The direction of rotation of the earth elevating reel 50 is shown by the arrows. The vanes 46 loosen the soil so engaged and cut or break the soil into pieces or segments conveniently handled by the earth scraper 10. The scraper blade 58 engages the soil already traversed and loosened by the rolling action of the earth elevating reel 50 and the cutting and breaking action of the vanes 46 thereof. The scraper blade 58 is lowered into the earth by the contraction of the hydraulic cylinders and, alternately, the scraper blade 58 is raised from the earth by the extension of the hydraulic cylinders 80.

Soil is scraped and picked up from the ground by scraper blade 58 and engaged by the vanes 46 of the earth elevating reel 50 as the earth elevating reel is rotated on stub shafts 38 and 40 and the vanes 46fare revolved about the bowl 26. Soil so engaged by the vanes 46 is elevated between the inner surface of the cylindrical segment 56 of the segmentally cylindrical hood 52 and the outer surface of the bowl 26, said surfaces assisting in maintaining the soil on the vanes 46 during the elevation of the soil. Soil so elevated is spilled from the vanes 46 into the bowl 26 through the receiving and discharge hole 30 thereof where it is con veniently accumulated for transporting purposes. The bowl 26 is rotated into and maintained in position to accumulate the elevated soil by the hydraulically controlled actuating mechanism 105.

The scraper blade 58 may be adjusted to selected scraping depths by varying the extension and contraction of the hydraulic cylinders 80. The accurate.

hydraulic control of the extension and contraction of the hydraulic cylinders 80 results in precise vertical positioning of the scraper blade 58 effectively preventing the undesirable gouging commonly experienced with scrapers of conventional design.

FIG. 5 illustrates the working elements of the earth scraper 10 in position to transport soil accumulated in the bowl 26. To place-the earth scraper 10 in this position, the hydraulic cylinders 80 are caused to extend which results in the hood 52 being rotated upwardly about stub shafts 38 and 40 thus raising the scraper blade 58 from engagement with the earth. As the hood 52'is raised, the slide pin reaches the upper end of the slot 94 and further upward rotation of the hood 52 about the stub shafts 38 and 40 is precluded by the elongated bar 88. At this point the scraper blade 58 is clear of the earth, but the earth elevating reel 50 remains in earth engagement. Continued extension of hydraulic cylinders 80 results in the rearward end 24 of the support frame 12 being elevated relative to the ground providing concurrent elevational control of all the elements borne by the support frame.

FIG. 6 illustrates the earth scraper 10 in position to spread soil accumulated in bowl 26 over the ground. To place the earth scraper 10 in this position, the hydraulic cylinders 80 are extended or contracted as required until the slide pin 100 is in contact with or below the upper end of the slots 94 and the earth elevating reel 50 is in earth engagement. The earth elevating reel 50 rotates in the direction shown by the arrow as the earth scraper is drawn forward. The hydraulic cylinder 106 is gradually extended with a resulting forward rotation of the bowl 26 and the earth scraper 10 is simultaneously caused to move forward over the ground. As the soil is dumped from the forwardly rotating bowl 26, the scraper blade 58 engages the soil and spreads it over the ground to a selected thickness. During the spreading operation, the operator may position the scraper blade 58 at any vertical elevation between earth engagement and the point at which slide pm 100 is in contact with the upper end of the slot 94.

FIG. 7 illustrates the earth scraper 10 in position to level the soil over which it is drawn without the accumulation of soil in the bowl 26. To place the earth scraper 10 in this position, the bowl 26 is rotated about stub shafts 38 and 40 to its inverted position by the full extension of hydraulic cylinder 106 in cooperation with the other elements of the actuating mechanism 105, and the scraper blade 58 is caused to engage the soil by the downwardrotation of the hood 52 about the stub shafts 38 and 40 by the contraction of the hydraulic cylinders 80. in this position soil is shaved from the high spots by the scraper blade 58 and is then carried by the earth elevating reel 50, rotating in the direction shown by the arrow, up and over the inverted bowl 26 and dumped in front of the scraper blade 58 to be deposited in low spots.

The tubular shaft 34 and stub shafts 38 and 40 construction minimizes the cost and difficulty of maintaining adjustment of the various elements supported thereby. The required length of shaft may be as great as 10 feet, and the manufacture of a solid shaft of such length within the required tolerances is difficult.

It is believed apparent that the invention obtains the objectives heretofore set forth.

Changes may be made in the combination and construction and arrangement of parts or elements as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawing without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an earth scraper having a front end and a rear end and comprising a support frame, a hood, a scraper blade, an earth elevating reel and support wheels mounted on the frame, the improvement comprising:

a substantially cylindrical bowl, having an earth receiving and discharging opening formed therein, having opposite end walls, and having a hole formed in each end wall thereof;

a tubular shaft, axially positioned inside the bowl, with its ends communicating with the holes formed in the end walls of the bowl, and fixedly connected to each end wall of the bowl;

a first shaft element journaled in the frame and extending into one end of the tubular shaft and fixedly connected to the respective end wall of the bowl, whereby one end of the bowl is joumaled in the frame;

a second shaft element journaled in the frame and extending into the opposite end of the tubular shaft and fixedly connected to the respective end wall of the bowl, whereby the opposite end of the bowl is journaled in the frame; and

means connected to one of the shaft elements for selectively positioning the bowl in earth receiving and discharging positions.

2. An earth scraper as defined in claim 1 wherein the support wheels are disposed to the rear of the hood and scraper blade and pivotally mounted on the frame, and characterized further to include:

a sub-frame pivotally secured to the frame forward of the reel;

front support wheels joumaled on the sub-frame; and

a tongue secured to the sub-frame, whereby said front support wheels are pivoted about a substantially vertical axis for steering the earth scraper as it traverses the ground, and whereby the earth scraper may be drawn over the ground by tractive means.

3. An earth scraper as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for selectively positioning the bowl in earth receiving and discharging positions is characterized further to include:

a hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected at one end to the support frame;

a first link pivotally connected at one end to the opposite end of the hydraulic cylinder, and pivotally connected at its opposite end to the support frame;

a second link pivotally connected at one end to the pivotal connection between the hydraulic cylinder and the first link; and

an actuating arm pivotally connected at one end to the opposite end of the second link and fixedly attached at its opposite end to the outer end of the second stub shaft.

4. An earth scraper comprising:

a mobile support frame having a front and a rear;

a substantially cylindrical bowl having opposite end walls, having an earth receiving and discharging opening formed therein, and having a hole formed in each end wall thereof;

a tubular shaft, axially positioned inside the bowl with its ends communicating with the holes formed in the end walls of the bowl, and fixedly attached to each end wall of the bowl;

a first stub shaft joumaled in the frame and extending into one end of the tubular shaft and fixedly connected to the corresponding end wall of the bowl, whereby one end of the bowl is joumaled in the frame;

a second stub shaft journaled in the frame and extending into the opposite end of the tubular shaft and fixedly connected to the corresponding opposite end wall of the bowl, whereby the opposite end of the bowl is joumaled in the frame;

means connected to one of the stub shafts for selectively positioning the bowl in earth receiving and discharging positions;

an earth elevating reel joumaled at each end on the respective stub shaft;

a segmentally cylindrical hood journaled on the stub shafts and disposed rearwardly of the earth elevating reel;

a scraper blade downwardly extending from the hood, whereby earth encountered by the scraper blade is elevated by the reel in association with the hood and deposited in the bowl;

means interconnecting the frame and the hood for limiting elevation and depression of the hood and scraper blade relative to the frame;

support wheels pivotally mounted on the frame; and

actuation means interconnecting the hood and the support wheels for controlling elevation of said scraper blade, whereby the hood and scraper blade are raised and lowered in the frame, and whereby the frame and frame borne elements of the earth scraper are raised and lowered relative to the ground.

5. An earth scraper as defined in claim 4 wherein the support wheels are disposed to the rear of the hood and scraper blade, and characterized further to include:

a sub-frame pivotally secured to the frame on a vertical axis forward of the reel;

front support wheels joumaled on the sub-frame; and

a tongue secured to the sub-frame, whereby the front support wheels are pivoted about a substantially vertical axis for steeringthe .earth scraper as it traverses the ground, and whereby the earth scraper may be drawn over the ground by tractive means.

6. An earth scraper as defined in claim 4 wherein the means for selectively positioning the bowl in earth receiving and discharging positions is characterized further to include:

a hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected at one end to the support frame;

a first link pivotally connected at one end to the opposite end of the hydraulic cylinder, and pivotally connected at its opposite end to the support frame;

a second pivotally connected at one end to the 10 pivotal connection between the hydraulic cylinder and the first link; and

an actuating arm pivotally connected at one end to the opposite end of the second link and fixedly connected at its opposite end to the outer end of the second stub shaft.

7. An earth scraper as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for selectively positioning the bowl in earth receiving and discharging positions is characterized further to include:

a power cylinder pivotally connected at one end to the support frame;

an actuating element having opposite ends, fixedly connected at one end to one of the shaft elements; and

a linking apparatus having opposite ends, pivotally connected at one end to the opposite end of the power cylinder, and pivotally connected at its opposite end to the opposite end of the actuating ele ment.

- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION FatehtNo. 3,703,776 Dated November 28, 1972 Inventor) Robert B Felstel Jr.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patentare hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 9 line 22 after "second" and before the word F'pivotally" insert the word --link---- Signed and sealed this 24th day of A ri 1973.

(S Attest :I

EDWARD M PLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. In an earth scraper having a front end and a rear end and comprising a support frame, a hood, a scraper blade, an earth elevating reel and support wheels mounted on the frame, the improvement comprising: a substantially cylindrical bowl, having an earth receiving and discharging opening formed therein, having opposite end walls, and having a hole formed in each end wall thereof; a tubular shaft, axially positioned inside the bowl, with its ends communicating with the holes formed in the end walls of the bowl, and fixedly connected to each end wall of the bowl; a first shaft element journaled in the frame and extending into one end of the tubular shaft and fixedly connected to the respective end walL of the bowl, whereby one end of the bowl is journaled in the frame; a second shaft element journaled in the frame and extending into the opposite end of the tubular shaft and fixedly connected to the respective end wall of the bowl, whereby the opposite end of the bowl is journaled in the frame; and means connected to one of the shaft elements for selectively positioning the bowl in earth receiving and discharging positions.
 2. An earth scraper as defined in claim 1 wherein the support wheels are disposed to the rear of the hood and scraper blade and pivotally mounted on the frame, and characterized further to include: a sub-frame pivotally secured to the frame forward of the reel; front support wheels journaled on the sub-frame; and a tongue secured to the sub-frame, whereby said front support wheels are pivoted about a substantially vertical axis for steering the earth scraper as it traverses the ground, and whereby the earth scraper may be drawn over the ground by tractive means.
 3. An earth scraper as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for selectively positioning the bowl in earth receiving and discharging positions is characterized further to include: a hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected at one end to the support frame; a first link pivotally connected at one end to the opposite end of the hydraulic cylinder, and pivotally connected at its opposite end to the support frame; a second link pivotally connected at one end to the pivotal connection between the hydraulic cylinder and the first link; and an actuating arm pivotally connected at one end to the opposite end of the second link and fixedly attached at its opposite end to the outer end of the second stub shaft.
 4. An earth scraper comprising: a mobile support frame having a front and a rear; a substantially cylindrical bowl having opposite end walls, having an earth receiving and discharging opening formed therein, and having a hole formed in each end wall thereof; a tubular shaft, axially positioned inside the bowl with its ends communicating with the holes formed in the end walls of the bowl, and fixedly attached to each end wall of the bowl; a first stub shaft journaled in the frame and extending into one end of the tubular shaft and fixedly connected to the corresponding end wall of the bowl, whereby one end of the bowl is journaled in the frame; a second stub shaft journaled in the frame and extending into the opposite end of the tubular shaft and fixedly connected to the corresponding opposite end wall of the bowl, whereby the opposite end of the bowl is journaled in the frame; means connected to one of the stub shafts for selectively positioning the bowl in earth receiving and discharging positions; an earth elevating reel journaled at each end on the respective stub shaft; a segmentally cylindrical hood journaled on the stub shafts and disposed rearwardly of the earth elevating reel; a scraper blade downwardly extending from the hood, whereby earth encountered by the scraper blade is elevated by the reel in association with the hood and deposited in the bowl; means interconnecting the frame and the hood for limiting elevation and depression of the hood and scraper blade relative to the frame; support wheels pivotally mounted on the frame; and actuation means interconnecting the hood and the support wheels for controlling elevation of said scraper blade, whereby the hood and scraper blade are raised and lowered in the frame, and whereby the frame and frame borne elements of the earth scraper are raised and lowered relative to the ground.
 5. An earth scraper as defined in claim 4 wherein the support wheels are disposed to the rear of the hood and scraper blade, and characterized further to include: a sub-frame pivotally secured to the frame on a vertical axis forward of the reel; front support wheels journaled on the sub-frame; and a tongue secured to the sub-frame, wherebY the front support wheels are pivoted about a substantially vertical axis for steering the earth scraper as it traverses the ground, and whereby the earth scraper may be drawn over the ground by tractive means.
 6. An earth scraper as defined in claim 4 wherein the means for selectively positioning the bowl in earth receiving and discharging positions is characterized further to include: a hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected at one end to the support frame; a first link pivotally connected at one end to the opposite end of the hydraulic cylinder, and pivotally connected at its opposite end to the support frame; a second pivotally connected at one end to the pivotal connection between the hydraulic cylinder and the first link; and an actuating arm pivotally connected at one end to the opposite end of the second link and fixedly connected at its opposite end to the outer end of the second stub shaft.
 7. An earth scraper as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for selectively positioning the bowl in earth receiving and discharging positions is characterized further to include: a power cylinder pivotally connected at one end to the support frame; an actuating element having opposite ends, fixedly connected at one end to one of the shaft elements; and a linking apparatus having opposite ends, pivotally connected at one end to the opposite end of the power cylinder, and pivotally connected at its opposite end to the opposite end of the actuating element. 